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Fulham back to winning ways

London: Brian McBride scored the lone goal on Sunday in Fulham’s 1-0 win over visiting Everton, giving the struggling club its first victory in the Premier League in more than a month.

Fulham’s attempt to climb out of the relegation zone was also helped by Bolton’s 1-0 loss to 10-man Wigan.

Bolton has 25 points for 18th place, with Fulham one place and two points behind. Only five points separate 14th-place Reading from Fulham in 19th.

Manchester United had returned to the top on Saturday after beating Derby 1-0 and watching Arsenal draw 1-1 with Middlesbrough.

Second goal

McBride scored his second goal of the season in the 67th minute in windy, rainy conditions at Craven Cottage.

Simon Davies crossed the ball into the box after a run down the left, and Joseph Yobo’s failed clearance fell to McBride, who headed it in.

McBride only played three games in August before hurting his knee during a game. He returned to the team in February.

Eddie Johnson came close to doubling the lead in the 88th when he sent a powerful shot just over the bar.

Everton beat Fulham 3-0 at Goodison Park in December, but the Toffees still haven’t won at Craven Cottage since 1966. Everton lost to Fiorentina in the UEFA Cup on Wednesday on penalty kicks.

It was Fulham’s first win since a 2-1 victory over Aston Villa on Feb. 3 — and only its fourth this season.

Denting hopes

Everton’s loss dented its hopes of keeping up with crosstown rival Liverpool in the race for fourth place and the final Champions League spot.

Everton has 56 points in fifth place, while Liverpool has 59 in fourth.

Wigan was a man down after the fifth minute when midfielder Jason Koumas was shown a red card for a late tackle on Bolton’s Gary Cahill.

But the Latics took the lead in the 34th through Emile Heskey, who volleyed in after a long throw from Mario Melchiot for his first goal since August.

Meanwhile on Saturday, in the Arsenal-Middlesbrough game, Middlesbrough took the lead in the 25th minute when Tuncay Sanli passed for former Gunner Jeremie Aliadiere to score.

Arsenal squandered several chances until Toure headed in Arsenal’s leveller. Two minutes later, Middlesbrough striker Mido was sent off for kicking Gael Clichy’s head.

Arsenal had drawn with Birmingham, Aston Villa and Wigan in its previous three league matches. “Hopefully we will not regret that,” Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said of the dropped points. “It is not going well for us at the moment but we have to go through a patch like that and show our strengths.”

The results: Sunday: Wigan Athletic 1 (Emile Heskey 34) bt Bolton Wanderers 0; Fulham 1 (McBride 67) bt Everton 0. Saturday: Arsenal 1 (Toure 86) drew with Middlesbrough 1 (Aliadiere 25). — Agencies

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